Algoma South Breakwater Pier Repair

Approximately $19 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help rebuild the South Pier in Algoma, Wisconsin, which has not been updated since it was built 100 years ago. The project will be led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and will stabilize the North Pier and South Breakwater Pier so that they can sustain rising water levels.

Historical context

Geography:

• “The South Pier, at the north end of Crescent Beach, is under federal control. It serves as a breakwater on the south side of the city marina and allows people to stroll out more than 1,500 feet into Lake Michigan, with its terminus just across the marina entrance from the Algoma Pierhead Lighthouse.” – Green Bay Press-Gazette, May 11, 2022

The pier has never been repaired in its more than 100 years of existence:

• $19 million of bipartisan infrastructure law funding has been awarded for a 110-year-old pier repair in Algoma, Wisconsin, on Lake Michigan: “More than 100 years of wear and tear and erosion from waves on the lake, as well as extremely high lake water levels in recent years, have taken their toll on the pier. An inspection two years ago by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers showed the surface and parts of the concrete underneath were crumbling, and the Corps did a temporary patchwork repair last spring.” – Green Bay Press-Gazette, May 11, 2022
• “[Algoma Public Works Director Matt] Murphy said he’s talked with the Corps of Engineers about the pier three times since the spring of 2019, about a year after he became public works director, ‘when I realized we had a serious problem with the south breakwater.’ He said he thinks that continued communication with the Corps may have led them to include and prioritize the pier in its list of projects under the infrastructure act.” – Green Bay Press-Gazette, May 11, 2022

Project summary

• “Algoma is set to receive over $19 million to repair the Harbor’s south breakwater. The project is led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.” – NBC26, February 1, 2022
• “The harbor structures consist of a 1,102-foot long North Pier and a 1,530-foot long South Breakwater. The purpose of the proposed project is to stabilize these structures to maintain the operational integrity of the existing structures, which provide safe navigation.” – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, February 23, 2023

Outcomes, improvements, and practical impact

• “The tentatively selected plan includes the demolition and replacement of the existing concrete cap along the structures, filling of void spaces, encapsulation using vertical steel sheet piling on both sides of the structures, and the replacement of armor stone along the toe of the structures. This plan would provide for more stable and long-lasting harbor structures enabling the continued safe passage for vessels entering and exiting the harbor.” – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, February 23, 2023
• “The South Pier, at the north end of Crescent Beach, is under federal control. It serves as a breakwater on the south side of the city marina and allows people to stroll out more than 1,500 feet into Lake Michigan, with its terminus just across the marina entrance from the Algoma Pierhead Lighthouse.” – Green Bay Press-Gazette, May 11, 2022

Climate impact

Unlike in the past, the renovated bridge will be able to sustain rising water levels:

• “‘This first 75 to 100 feet had pretty significant failure and that’s how this whole, I guess, thing probably started,’ City of Algoma Director of Public Works Matt Murphy said.” – NBC26, February 1, 2022

The construction will have minimal ecological impact:

• “The proposed fill activity would have no significant short-term or long-term impacts to climate. Additional fossil fuels would be needed during the breakwater repair process for the operation of associated construction vehicles. However, there would be no measurable impact on climate, even though there may be localized increases in greenhouse gas emissions during construction. Once construction is complete, additional fossil fuels would not be needed for operation of the breakwater.” – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, February 2023

Economic impact

The pier serves a dual economic purpose through tourism and fishing:

• “[U.S. Sen. Tammy] Baldwin noted the economic impact the pier repairs should make on Algoma, which draws thousands of people a year to the adjacent beach, the harbor and for commercial guided fishing on the lake. Visitors often stroll the pier or fish from it. ‘We know this also is a community treasure people use, and it also protects the boats in the harbor,’ Baldwin said. ‘(The waterfront) is a big draw. You have the marina, a very robust commercial (fishing) fleet, so there’s a lot of economic development potential.’” – Green Bay Press-Gazette, May 11, 2022
• “Baldwin said work on the pier will be one of the first projects the Corps of Engineers will conduct under the infrastructure act, hoping to begin next year. Murphy said although the Corps is in charge of the project, the current plan is for 100% of the work be done by contractors.” – Green Bay Press-Gazette, May 11, 2022

Official supporting statements

• Common Council Member Jake Maring: “I’m absolutely thrilled. It’s a wonderful opportunity. … I did a little dance when I heard about (the bill’s passage).” – Green Bay Press-Gazette, May 11, 2022
• U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI): “All of my visits have been focused on water. That makes me think of Wisconsin. We identify with our water. It’s very important to protect it on our lakeshores, our shorelands, our coasts and waterways. … ‘If you want an example of crumbling infrastructure, look at this 110-year-old breakwater in Algoma,’ Baldwin said.” – Green Bay-Press Gazette, May 11, 2022

Selected clips

• “Sen. Tammy Baldwin visits Algoma to tout $19 million allocation for 110-year-old pier repair” – Green Bay Press-Gazette, May 11, 2022
• “​​‘Long overdue’: City of Algoma to receive over $19 million to repair Harbor’s south breakwater” – NBC26, February 1, 2022